The UK will need to recruit hundreds of thousands of people into its energy sector if it is to meet its target to deliver net zero emissions by 2050, according to new research by National Grid.
The research reveals the industry will need to fill 400,000 jobs, bringing opportunities for skilled tradespeople, engineers and other specialists across every region of the country.
In the North East, for example, the research shows more than 21,000 new recruits will be needed to deliver projects such as offshore wind and the interconnector off the coast of Blyth in Northumberland.
Almost 28,000 roles will be needed to work on projects including the further development of offshore wind farms in the East of England.
“Our research shows that to deliver net zero, the energy industry needs to recruit hundreds of thousands of people over the next thirty years – and that really is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the wider impact of net zero across other industries. The time is now for the sector to rise to the challenge and overcome the long-standing issues we face in recruiting a diverse workforce with the right skills to deliver on the UK’s ambitions,” said Nicola Shaw CBE, Executive Director of National Grid.
Of the 400,000 roles that need to be filled over the next 30 years, the sector needs to recruit 117,000 this decade if it is to meet key milestones up to 2050.
Source: National Grid